Bathtub



Aug. 13, 1968 1..v R. FRANCOM BATHTUB Filed July 2, 1965 I NVENTOR.LAWREIIC! II. FRANLOM Anon/v5) United States Patent 3,396,412 BATHTUBLawrence R. Francom, 15277 Sobey Road, Saratoga, Calif. 95070 Filed July2, 1965, Ser. No. 469,079 9 Claims. (Cl. 4-173) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A sunken fiberglass bathtub having a bottom wall withrigidifying galvanized strips disposed in the wall. A pair of uprightsurfaces integrally formed with the bottom wall and a pair of horizontalsurfaces integrally formed with the upright wall provide a head and armrest. A pump chamber is formed in the interior wall of the tub withfaucets being mounted on top of the chamber. A pump within the pumpchamber receives water from the tub through a drain in the pump chamberwall and pumps this water through an adjustable valve into an imbeddedconduit which leads to a nozzle recessed in the head rest. The pumpwater is mixed with air in the recessed nozzle through a remote airvent, and is sprayed over the neck and shoulders of the body.

The present invention relates in general to bathroom fixtures, and moreparticularly to a bathtub.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved bathtub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sunkenbathtub. v

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub that canbe installed with facility with-out sacrificing durability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub in whichthe conduits therefor are molded within the tube at the time ofconstruction thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtube inwhich a compartment is formed in the bathtub to accommodate a pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub with astep and body support and with a nozzle for spraying water disposedadjacent the step and body support.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent to one skilled in the art from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath tub embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bathtub shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the fiberglass or plastic bathtub of thepresent invention which, in the preferred embodiment, is made fromsheets of moldable plastic or fiberglass material. The bathtub 10 ispartially sunken into a floor F or a suitable supporting surface so thatthe bottom 'wall 11 thereof is below the floor level. In addition,adjacent upright walls 12 and 12' of the bathtub 10 are in flushengagement with adjacent walls W and W respectively.

It has been found that fiberglass or plastic is a desirable mat rialfrom which to mold a bathtub, because of its good heat retainingcharacteristics. However, such fiber- 3,396,412 Patented Aug. 13, 1968"ice glass or plastic has greater flexibility or yieldability than isdesired for a bathtub. According to the present invention, rigidifyingor stiffening straps 13, 14 and 15 in the form of galvanized straps aredisposed within the bottom wall 11 of the bathtub 10. In this manner,the bottom wall 11 and the fiberglass or plastic bathtub 10 aresufficiently rigidified to withstand the weight of a person standingwithin the bathtub 10. The bathtub 10 also includes adjacent Walls and21 which face the walls 12 and 12, respectively. Along the upper edgesof the walls 12 and 12' are rim flanges or lips, whereby the surroundingwall whether it be wallboard or tile can be mounted thereon in flushfitting relation, thereby, in effect, mounting the bathtub 10 within thesurrounding walls and below the floor level.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub 10 is formed with a step 25 having ariser or vertical wall 26, a horizontal wall or body rest 27, and asecond riser or vertical wall 28. In this manner, a person canconveniently step into or step out of the bathtub 10. Adjacent to thestep 25 is a triangular prism support having a vertical wall 31 thatjoins the upright wall 26 of the step 25 and a horizontal wall 32 thatjoins the horizontal wall 27 of the step 25. Through the foregoingarrangement, a person sitting on the bottom wall 11 with the back of thebody against the upright wall 26 can rest the head on the horizontalwall 25 and an arm on the horizontal wall 32.

Embedded in their entirety within the bathtub 10 during the molding ofthe fiberglass or plastic sheets are suitable plumbing conduits or pipes-44. At the discharge end of the pipe 40 is a suitable nozzle 45, whichfits within a recessed area of the upright wall 26 of the step 25. Thenozzle does not project outwardly from the seat 25, but is capable ofejecting a water spray outwardly therefrom. A remote air vent inlet 49,preferably mounted from the wall W receives air by being exposed fromand projected from the wall W The air received by the air vent inlet 49is conducted through a pipe 50 and the embedded pipe 44 into the nozzle45. Hence, the water discharged from the nozzle 45 is in the form of anaerated jet or spray. It is to be observed that the nozzle 45 is mountedwithin the upright wall 26 of the step 25 to spray water onto the partsof the body, such as the neck and the shoulder.

Integrally formed with the walls 20 and 21 of the bathtub 10 is a pumpand fixture chamber or compartment 55, which accommodates a conventionalpump and motor 56 of the type used for swimming pools. Suitable tubes,such as copper pipes 57 and 58 connect the pump 56 to the embeddedcircuit 43. The pump 56 is connected to a suitable time switch, notshown. lnterposed between the pipes 57 and 58 is a manually operatedflow control valve 59 for controlling the flow of water through the pipe57, and, hence, through the nozzle 45. Adjacent the valve 59 aredisposed water faucets or taps 60 and 61, which control the fiow of hotand cold water into the tub 10. A drain opening 62 is formed in thebottom wall 11. Through an inlet 56a, the pump and motor 56 drains Waterfrom the tub 10 and discharges the water through a conduit 64 into theconduits 58 and 57 for recirculation by discharging the water out of thenozzle 45.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fixtures 60 and 61 are built into theraised walls of the chamber and are mounted above an overflow opening63, which is formed in the wall 21. Thus, the raised compartment 55 forthe the overflow opening 63 adjacent to the rim of the wall 21 and abovethe threshold of the tub 10.

When the valve 59 is opened, water flows through the valve 59, theconduit 57, conduit 43, conduit 42, conduit 41 conduit 40 and isdischarged from the nozzle 45. Water under pressure controlled by thepump and motor 56 flows over the path above described for recirculationand is drawn from the tub through an inlet 56a of the pump and motor 56.The conduit 64 interconnects the output of the pump and motor 56 withthe conduit 58. This action provides a jet stream recirculating flow ofwaterout of the nozzle 45 for the comfort of the user of the bathtub 10.

In operation, the flow control valve 59 is opened and the pump 56 isturned on through an electrical switch, not shown, for operation to drawwater thereon through an inlet 56a and discharging the water through thepipe 64. Said inlet 56a is fitted in a watertight manner in the frontwall of the chamber '55, but the inlet opening is exposed to theinterior of the bathtub to communicate with the interior of said bathtubto drain water therefrom. Water under pressure flows through the pipes58, 57, 43, 42, 41 and 40 and is discharged for recirculation throughnozzle 45. An aerated spray or jet is provided through the air vent 49communicating with the nozzle 45 through the conduits 50 and 44.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications of theembodiment of the inventions disclosed herein may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A bathroom fixture comprising a fiberglass bathtub, said bathtubcomprising a bottom wall and an upright wall integrally formed with saidbottom wall and a horizontal wall integrally formed with said uprightwall and spaced above said bottom wall, said upright wall and saidhorizontal wall forming a step and a rest upon which a portion of thepersons body may be supported, said upright wall being formed with arecessed area, said bathtub being formed with an integrally formed pumpchamber, a nozzle disposed within the recessed area of said upright wallfor discharging water into said bath, a conduit embedded in its entiretyin said fiberglass bathtub for conducting water to said nozzle, and apump mounted within said pump chamber for drawing water from saidbathtub and communicating with said conduit for pumping water underpressure through said conduit for recirculation by said nozzle.

2. A bathroom fixture comprising a bathtub, said bathtub being formedwith an integrally formed pump chamber extending to a higher elevationthan adjacent walls of said bathtub, valve means fixedly secured to saidpump chamber, and a pump mounted within said pump chamber andcommunicating with said valve means.

3. A bathroom fixture comprising a fiberglass bathtub,

said bathtub comprising a bottom wall and an upright wall integrallyformed with said bottom wall and a horizontal wall integrally formedwith said upright wall and spaced above said bottom wall, said uprightwall and said horizontal wall forming a step and a rest upon which aportion of a persons body may be supported, said upright wall beingformed with a recessed area, said bathtub being formed with anintegrally formed pump chamber, a nozzle disposed within the recessedarea of said upright Wall for discharging water into said bathtub, aconduit embedded in its entirety in said fiberglass bathtub forconducting water to said nozzle, a pump mounted within said pump chamberfor drawing water from said tub and communicating with said conduit forpumping water under pressure through said conduit for recirculationthrough said nozzle, an air conduit embedded in said fiberglass bathtuband communicating with said nozzle, and venting means with an openingremoved from said bathtub connected to said air conduit for supplyingair to said nozzle to be mixed with the water discharged from saidnozzle.

4. A bathtub comprising a bottom wall on which a person may sit withlegs extended, a first upright wall against which said person may placehis back integrally formed with said bottom wall, a first horizontalwall integrally formed with said first upright wall and spaced abovesaid bottom wall, said first upright wall and said firsthorizontal wallforming a step and a rest upon which the head of said person may besupported, a second upright wall disposedcontiguous with said firstupright wall and said bottom wall, and a second horizontal wallintegrally formed with said second upright wall and disposed contiguouswith and at even height with said first horizontal wall, said secondupright wall and said second horizontal wall forming a rest upon whichan arm of said person may be supported. a

5. A bathroom fixture comprising a bathtub, said bathtub comprising abottom wall and an uprightwall integrally formed with said bottom walland a horizontal wall integrally formed with said upright wall andspaced above said bottom wall, said upright wall and said horizontalwall forming a step and a rest upon which a portion of a persons bodymay be supported, said upright wall being formed with a recessed area,said bathtub being formed with an integrally formed pump chamber, anozzle disposed within the recessed area of said upright wall fordischarging water into said bath, a conduit imbedded in its entirety insaid bathtub for conducting water to said nozzle, and a pump mountedwithin said pump chamber for drawing water from said bathtub andcommunicating with said conduit for pumping water under pressure throughsaid conduit for recirculation by said nozzle.

6. A bathroom fixture comprising a bathtub, said bathtub comprising abottom wall and an upright wall integrally formed with said bottom 'walland a horizontal wall integrally formed with said upright wall andspaced above said bottom wall, said upright wall and said horizontalwall forming a step and a rest upon which a portion of a persons bodymaybe supported, said upright wall being formed with a recessed area,said bathtub being formed with an integrally formed pump chamber, anozzle disposed within the recessed area of said upright wall fordischarging water into said. bathtub, a conduit imbedded in its entiretyin said bathtub for conducting water to said nozzle, a pump mountedwithin said pump chamber for drawing from said tub and communicatingwith said conduit for pumping water .under pressure through said conduitfor recirculation through said nozzle, an inner conduit imbedded withinsaid bathtub and communicating with said nozzle, and venting means withan opening removed from said bathtub connected to said air conduit forsupplying air to said nozzle to be mixed with the water discharged fromsaid nozzle. I

7. A bathroom fixture comprising a bathtub, the interior wall of saidbathtub being formed with an integrally formed pump chamber, and a pumpmounted within said chamber, said pump chamber extending to a higherelevation than adjacent walls of said bathtub.

8. A bathroom fixture as claimed in claim 7 and comprising faucet meansmounted on the upper portion of said pump chamber.

9. A bathroom fixture as claimed in claim 8 and comprising a drainmounted on the lower portion of said pump chambers for admitting waterinto said pump for recirculation into said bathtub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 580,367 4/1897 Buick 4-1732,058,188 10/1936 Stanton 4-173 (Other references on following page) 5UNITED STATES PATENTS Additon 4173 More 4-15O Thompson 4173 Cowley 4-173X Beardsley 4173 Jacuzzi 4-180 X Strand 4-173 6 2,820,228 1/1958 Rodman4173 3,263,678 8/1966 Everston.

FOREIGN PATENTS 5 1,298,722 6/1961 France.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primaly Examiner.

H. J. GROSS, Assistant Examiner.

